OUTWARDLY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

outwardly

adverb

Definition of outwardly

as in externally

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of outwardly Other candidates, Othman said, were not as outwardly against Israel’s war with Hamas. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 Finally, owning a shelf of movies, TV shows and music can outwardly signal your identity and interests in a way that’s impossible with digital media. — Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Again and again, grieving parents described children who continued functioning outwardly — going to school, maintaining friendships, playing sports and making plans for the future — even while privately struggling. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 While outwardly identical, the two 14-inch laptops have very different processors. — Michael J. Miller, PC Magazine, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outwardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwardly

Adverb

This is a year of building solid foundations and structures, both internally and externally.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 July 2026
Their satire is both self-deprecating and externally critical.

— Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Definition of externally

Adverb

But Khamenei has remained hidden from public view, neither addressing the nation directly nor visibly asserting his authority, even as officials negotiate or govern in his name.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The man then approaches the stage, leaving Barrymore and Rapp visibly confused.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Definition of visibly

Adverb

These seemingly small actions can lead to dry grass ignition, potentially sparking a wildfire.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
As seemingly scattershot as the box-office yields for these films can be, don’t expect live-action remakes of classic animation to turn into a pumpkin anytime soon.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

But the organization evidently believes the veteran left-hander still provides valuable pitching depth as injuries continue to mount throughout the season.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Prime parking spots in New York City are evidently worth fighting a stranger on a sidewalk for.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Definition of evidently

Adverb

Still, Bethany says that at times the system has gone awry, particularly because in addition to allowance, her two oldest children also have access to her credit card, ostensibly for emergencies.

— Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026
That included a Valentine’s Day trip to a hotel, a ride to Stockton — ostensibly to inspect a horse — or riding deep into the Oakland Hills together.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

The United Auto Workers recently criticized General Motors for installing about 50 new robot arms at the automaker’s flagship electric vehicle factory in Detroit after laying off more than 1,300 workers as a supposedly temporary measure.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
The one god who periodically turns up, Zendaya’s Athena – supposedly Ulysses’ divine protector against the wrath of Zeus and Poseidon and all the rest – has surprisingly little to do in this version.

— Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

Such agencies are putatively created to provide expert advice to the president on complex issues such as nuclear technology and consumer product safety.

— Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2026
In those pages, Fiedler dared to argue that many of America’s boyish and putatively innocent classics are in fact fantasies of interracial, homosexual romance.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of putatively

Browse Nearby Words

outward

outwardly

outwards

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Outwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwardly. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outwardly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on outwardly

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dog days

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes